China, US Say To Work To Avoid Sea Confrontations

Top U.S. and Chinese military officials said Wednesday the countries will work together to avoid confrontations at sea that have sparked worries of a crisis in overall relations.

The issue was at the center of their first high-level military talks in 18 months after a series of recent naval encounters — including a collision of a Chinese submarine and a U.S. sonar device — that have raised concerns about poor communication between the two sides.

The military officials also discussed North Korea, which has threatened war with the U.S. and its allies in response to new U.N. sanctions imposed over its recent nuclear test blast.